Bill > H2061

This bill updates Massachusetts' hunter harassment laws by establishing clear legal protections for individuals engaged in lawful hunting and fishing activities. The legislation defines multiple specific actions that would constitute harassment, including deliberately disturbing wildlife, blocking or impeding hunters, using visual or auditory stimuli to disrupt hunting, erecting barriers to prevent access to hunting areas, entering private lands without permission to interfere with hunting, and using mechanical aerial devices to harass hunters. The bill establishes graduated penalties for different levels of harassment: a first-tier violation could result in up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine, vandalism of hunting equipment could lead to up to two years in jail or a $5,000 fine, and causing bodily injury through harassment could result in up to five years in jail or a $10,000 fine. Additionally, the legislation allows victims to pursue civil actions for punitive damages, empowers law enforcement officers to enforce these provisions, and mandates that any fines collected be deposited into the Inland Fisheries and Game Fund to support hunter education programs. The bill aims to protect hunters' rights and ensure safe, unobstructed access to legally permitted hunting and fishing activities.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2061